Code blue extreme cold alert for Baltimore as arctic blast arrives

Following a stretch of pleasant winter days, much colder weather has blown into Maryland. The forecast includes additional blasts of cold weather and chances of snow through the extended forecast. 

Code Blue for Baltimore City 

Baltimore City has issued a code blue extreme cold alert Thursday night into Friday morning for dangerous cold. 

The City Health Commissioner declares a Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert based on the following criteria:

• When temperatures, including wind chill, are expected to be 13˚F or below. This threshold can be reached by having a temperature at or below 20˚F with 5 mph sustained winds or a temperature at or below 25˚F with 15 mph sustained winds.
   
• When other conditions (e.g., strong winds, extended periods of cold, sudden cold after a warm period) are deemed by the Health Commissioner to be severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life or health of vulnerable Baltimore City residents.

Click here for more information about Baltimore City's code blue and resources available during this extreme cold. 

Following a freezing Friday morning, with temperatures in the teens and 20s, temperatures recover into the low and mid-30s in most communities by the afternoon hours. There will be a mix of sun and clouds, along with a lighter breeze through the afternoon. 

There could be a few flurries through the afternoon, followed by a chance of a couple light snow showers late in the evening.

Chances of snow and wintry mix this weekend

Scattered rain and snow showers are expected Saturday morning across Maryland. Right now, rain and snow accumulations look light. The best chance of a light accumulation of snow would be northeast of Baltimore, where a dusting up to to an inch cannot be ruled out on untreated surfaces, grassy areas, bridges, overpasses and ramps. 

Temperatures will warm into the mid and upper 30s early Saturday afternoon, ahead of another surge of cold weather.

As colder air pours back in, there is more uncertainty than normal with Sunday's forecast. A storm will form over the southeast and parallel the east coast late in the weekend. Right now, the chance of measurable snow on Sunday appears rather low in Baltimore City, but a light accumulation is possible as the coastal low passes offshore. There is a greater chance of measurable snow across the lower eastern shore and coastal Maryland.

Keep in mind, this type of storm is notoriously difficult for forecast models to forecast accurately. The coastal storm will pass too close for comfort. Any slight adjustment west with the track would bring accumulating snow into the Baltimore metro and greater accumulation to the eastern shore. Right now, data favors drier weather across central Maryland and only light accumulations farther southeast. Please continue to check back for updates.

Dangerous cold possible Tuesday across Maryland

Even more bitterly cold air settles in early next week!

Dress warmly for Martin Luther King Jr. Day plans. It'll feel like it's in the teens and lower 20s through the afternoon, with actual temperatures in the 30s. Even colder weather arrives Monday night. Wind chills drop to near 0° in the metro through Tuesday morning. It'll feel like it's in the single digits and teens through the afternoon, when the wind blows.

 A Tuesday is a First Alert Weather Day, due to the blast of abnormally cold weather.